THE JAMAICA Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) has said that the alleged upsurge in cases of leptospirosis in dogs cannot be confirmed.
However, according to a statement from the organisation, "it is conceivable that with the prevailing climatic conditions and increased rodent populations, infections of dogs, particularly those that stray, could increase."
"To our knowledge, the number of laboratory-confirmed positive samples for the disease, as reported by the Veterinary Services Division's Diagnostic Laboratory, remains at normal levels," the statement added.
JVMA said that a recent telephone survey showed that most Corporate Area veterinarians and veterinary clinics are not seeing the upsurge in suspected clinical cases in dogs as has been reported by the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA). It pointed out that there are other diseases of dogs that display similar clinical signs to those of leptospirosis and so laboratory confirmation is essential before any definitive statement can be made.
SERIOUS DISEASE
The JVMA said: "While we do believe that leptospirosis is a serious disease of public health concern, it should be stressed that there is no need to panic at this time. All persons should, as a matter of routine for themselves and their animals, practise good hygiene to reduce exposure to all harmful infectious diseases. This is especially important with regard to food and water storage. Control of rats and mice is also vital and the JVMA supports any call for effective measures to be taken, whether by public health authorities or individual members of the public."
The association emphasised that dogs are not natural carriers or spreaders of leptospirosis and should not be harmed or maltreated because of 'suspicion' of infection.
"Many cases of leptospirosis can be successfully treated, though some may have to be humanely euthanised ('put to sleep'). We call on all veterinarians who encounter suspected cases to submit the appropriate samples to the VSD Diagnostic Laboratory," JVMA urges.
